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Inbound Tourism Survey! Top 10 Japanese Characters by Country that Attract Foreign Visitors to Japan (Rough Overview)

  • Apr 8
  • 5 min read
「訪日外国人が絶賛する日本のキャラクターTOP10」を紹介し、キャラクターランキングの基準や人気の背景にある文化、アニメーションキャラクターの魅力、さらに訪日外国人が購入したいキャラクターグッズについても詳しく解説します。国別の人気キャラクター分析も行い、アメリカ、アジア、ヨーロッパでのトレンドにも触れていきます。日本のキャラクター文化を深掘りしましょう！



Number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2024

1. Top 10 Japanese Characters Praised by Foreign Visitors to Japan

Japanese characters, highly praised by foreign visitors to Japan, possess a variety of appealing qualities. Their rich designs and compelling narratives captivate many. Anime and manga characters, in particular, enjoy high acclaim worldwide. Furthermore, the culture and values embedded within these characters are fresh and appealing to foreigners. Next, let's take a closer look at the criteria for character rankings and the cultural background behind their popularity.



1-1. Criteria for Character Ranking


The criteria for character rankings are based on several factors, but first and foremost, popularity is a crucial element. Characters with high recognition not only in Japan but also overseas, thanks to the spread of services like Netflix, will naturally rank highly. Next, the character's design and story are evaluated. Characters with attractive designs and moving stories are loved by many people.

Furthermore, we have also included raw data from surveys conducted with actual foreign tourists visiting Japan, so please refer to that as well.


1-2. The Culture Behind the Popularity


The popularity of Japanese characters stems from a unique culture. One aspect of this is the "kawaii" culture. In Japan, cuteness is a beloved element for many people, and this influence is strongly reflected in Japanese characters. Foreigners are also captivated by this "kawaii" culture.

Furthermore, Japanese characters are characterized by the depth of their storylines. Beyond mere appearances, their backgrounds and growth processes are carefully depicted, evoking empathy. This kind of narrative quality likely resonates with foreign audiences as well. Moreover, Japanese characters span diverse genres, appealing to a wide range of people with diverse interests, from fantasy to contemporary dramas.

Furthermore, character merchandise and interactive events also contribute to their appeal. The abundance of opportunities to actually interact with characters, such as character cafes, theme parks, and limited-edition goods, increases the satisfaction level of foreign visitors to Japan. Japanese character culture is multifaceted and rich, and it has the power to convey its appeal to many people.



2. The appeal of animated characters

The appeal of animated characters lies in their unique personalities and expressiveness. Their diverse designs and intricate character settings attract many people. Furthermore, the expressive performances of voice actors also contribute to enhancing the characters' charm. A wide range of characters exist, from fantasy to realistic, and they are loved by diverse audiences.



2-1. The History of Japanese Animation


The history of Japanese animation dates back to the early 20th century. The first animated film was released in 1917, and it developed rapidly thereafter. In the post-war 1950s, Osamu Tezuka's "Astro Boy" was broadcast on television, greatly contributing to the popularization of animation. Subsequently, many masterpieces were created, such as "Mobile Suit Gundam" and "Lupin the Third" in the 1970s.

In the 1980s, Studio Ghibli was established, and films like "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Princess Mononoke" gained worldwide popularity. During this period, Japanese animation became widely known overseas and received international acclaim. In modern times, the spread of the internet has further expanded animation, allowing it to be enjoyed by people in many countries. The history of Japanese animation can truly be described as a history of evolution and diversity.


2-2. Popular animated characters among foreigners


Popular animated characters among foreigners come from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. Among them, the most popular are the characters from Studio Ghibli. In particular, Totoro from "My Neighbor Totoro" has captivated fans all over the world with his adorable appearance and heartwarming story.

Furthermore, characters like Son Goku from "Dragon Ball" and Pikachu from "Pokémon" are also extremely popular with foreigners. These characters continue to be loved by people of different generations and regions. They resonate with people from many cultural backgrounds because they depict universal themes such as adventure and friendship.

Furthermore, characters from series like "Attack on Titan" and "Naruto" are also widely supported by foreign fans. This is because these works are appreciated for their deep storylines and compelling character development. The characters are easy to empathize with and easy to project oneself onto.


2.3. Economic Impact of Characters


The economic impact of animated characters is enormous. First, there's the sale of related merchandise. Character goods, such as figurines, posters, and clothing, are diverse and generate a lot of revenue. Theme parks and events also utilize characters as part of their appeal.

For example, Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan offer attractions and shows themed around animated characters. This attracts tourists and stimulates the local economy. Numerous events and collaboration projects are also held, drawing large crowds of fans and boosting consumption.

Furthermore, the box office revenue from movies and television anime cannot be ignored. In particular, movie adaptations and revival broadcasts of popular series often generate significant buzz and attract high viewership ratings. As a result, this positively impacts sponsorship deals and sales of related merchandise, further expanding the economic effect. It can be said that animated characters are an important part of the Japanese economy.


Table/Graph of manga and anime that foreign visitors to Japan like




3. Analysis of Popular Characters by Country

By analyzing popular characters by country, differences in culture and preferences in each region become apparent. This analysis helps companies understand which characters are popular in which countries, which can be used to inform their marketing strategies. It also allows them to anticipate the emotions and needs of consumers in each country. Let's take a look at popular characters in the Americas, Asian countries, and Europe.


1. China

  1. Doraemon

  2. Pokémon (Pikachu)

  3. Kumamon

  4. Gudetama

  5. Pompompurin

  6. Demon Slayer (Tanjiro Kamado)

  7. Jujutsu Kaisen (Gojo Satoru)

  8. One Piece (Luffy)

  9. Chibi Maruko-chan

  10. Anpanman


2. South Korea

  1. Pokémon (Pikachu)

  2. Doraemon

  3. Demon Slayer (Tanjiro Kamado)

  4. Jujutsu Kaisen (Gojo Satoru)

  5. One Piece (Luffy)

  6. Naruto (Uzumaki Naruto)

  7. Sailor Moon

  8. Hello Kitty

  9. Rilakkuma

  10. Totoro


3. Taiwan

  1. Chibi Maruko-chan

  2. Doraemon

  3. Kumamon

  4. Rilakkuma

  5. Hello Kitty

  6. Anpanman

  7. Pokémon (Pikachu)

  8. Demon Slayer (Tanjiro Kamado)

  9. Jujutsu Kaisen (Gojo Satoru)

  10. One Piece (Luffy)


4. America

  1. Pokémon (Pikachu)

  2. Dragon Ball (Son Goku)

  3. Naruto (Uzumaki Naruto)

  4. Attack on Titan (Eren Yeager)

  5. Demon Slayer (Tanjiro Kamado)

  6. Jujutsu Kaisen (Gojo Satoru)

  7. One Piece (Luffy)

  8. Sailor Moon

  9. Totoro

  10. Hello Kitty


5. Thailand

  1. Kumamon

  2. Crayon Shin-chan

  3. Rilakkuma

  4. Pokémon (Pikachu)

  5. Doraemon

  6. Demon Slayer (Tanjiro Kamado)

  7. Jujutsu Kaisen (Gojo Satoru)

  8. One Piece (Luffy)

  9. Chibi Maruko-chan

  10. Anpanman


6. Australia

  1. Pokémon (Pikachu)

  2. Totoro

  3. Naruto (Uzumaki Naruto)

  4. Dragon Ball (Son Goku)

  5. Demon Slayer (Tanjiro Kamado)

  6. Jujutsu Kaisen (Gojo Satoru)

  7. One Piece (Luffy)

  8. Sailor Moon

  9. Hello Kitty

  10. Doraemon


7. Singapore

  1. Doraemon

  2. Gudetama

  3. Pokémon (Pikachu)

  4. Demon Slayer (Tanjiro Kamado)

  5. Jujutsu Kaisen (Gojo Satoru)

  6. One Piece (Luffy)

  7. Naruto (Uzumaki Naruto)

  8. Hello Kitty

  9. Rilakkuma

  10. Kumamon


8. Malaysia

  1. Doraemon

  2. Pokémon (Pikachu)

  3. Crayon Shin-chan

  4. Demon Slayer (Tanjiro Kamado)

  5. Jujutsu Kaisen (Gojo Satoru)

  6. One Piece (Luffy)

  7. Naruto (Uzumaki Naruto)

  8. Hello Kitty

  9. Rilakkuma

  10. Anpanman


9. Philippines

  1. Pokémon (Pikachu)

  2. Doraemon

  3. Naruto (Uzumaki Naruto)

  4. Demon Slayer (Tanjiro Kamado)

  5. Jujutsu Kaisen (Gojo Satoru)

  6. One Piece (Luffy)

  7. Dragon Ball (Son Goku)

  8. Sailor Moon

  9. Hello Kitty

  10. Anpanman


10. United Kingdom

  1. Pokémon (Pikachu)

  2. Totoro

  3. Naruto (Uzumaki Naruto)

  4. Attack on Titan (Eren Yeager)

  5. Demon Slayer (Tanjiro Kamado)

  6. Jujutsu Kaisen (Gojo Satoru)

  7. One Piece (Luffy)

  8. Sailor Moon

  9. Dragon Ball (Son Goku)

  10. Hello Kitty



So, what did you think? At first glance, it seems like a lineup of familiar characters, but there were probably some unexpected ones, weren't there? This is just a rough overview, so it ended up being a lineup of major characters. In my personal opinion, in 2024, when we were selling products to inbound tourists in stores, the most requested characters from foreign customers were "Doraemon" and "Jujutsu Kaisen." Now, it feels like the inbound calendar for 2025 is already filled up, so I hope this will be helpful.


Inbound Calendar for Visitors to Japan



 
 
 

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